Trash can



May 21, 1968 J. COHEN ET AL 3,384,385

TRASH CAN Filed May 31, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 P axmjur Q g INVENTORS'.

Joel Cohen BY Hiker? (o/zen Blair Buckles Xvfesari HTTORNFYS'.

May 21,1968 J.QHEN ETAL 3,384,385

TRASH CAN Filed May 31, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS Joel Cohen BYHiker? Cohen H I TORNE YS'.

Blair, Buckies' & es'an United States Patent 3,384,385 TRASH CAN JoelCohen and Albert Cohen, both of 254-19 61st Ave.,

Little Neck, N.Y. 11362 Filed May 31, 1966, Ser. No. 554,008 9 Claims.(Cl. 280-791) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed herein is a trash canhaving an articulated lid assembly, and a wheel assembly for mobility.The wheel assembly consists of various groupings of wheels or wheels andlegs affixed to the bottom end of the trash can. Caster wheels which arepivotable within the periphery of the bottom end are used so that thecans may be stacked for storage shipment or display. The lid assemblyincludes a lid supported by a pair of articulated linkage arms connectedslidably or pivotably to reinforcing bars on the trash can sidewall.Additional reinforcing bars may be used for added strength. The upperends of a pair of reinforcing bars are bent and joined together toproduce a U-shaped pushbar.

This invention relates to an improved construction for trash cans orlike containers. More particularly, it relates to a mobile trash canhaving an improved wheel assembly, and an attached lid, and which isreinforced against damage due to rough handling.

The trash can constructions now commonly in use have given rise to anumber of problems. The conventional trash can lacks mobility with theresult that it must be carried from place to place, often when heavywith trash. Attempts to solve the problem of lack of mobility as by theaddition of axle supported wheels, have resulted in trash cans whichcannot be nested and which are, therefore, diflicult to stack, ship,store or display. In addition, the added wheels, because they protrudebeyond the periphery of the trash can, have proved to be obstructive tothe passage of the can through tight quarters and trash can mobility hasthus been limited.

The separate lids used on conventional trash cans are readily removed,and, as removed, are susceptible to loss or damage. Further, the thinsidewall construction of the conventional trash can makes it subject toheavy denting or puncture when the contents are dumped or when the canis otherwise roughly handled.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a trashcan having articulated lid connecting supports.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trash can of the abovecharacter having increased resistance to damage from rough handling.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a trash can of theabove character having increased mobilit'y.

A further object of the invention is to provide a trash can of the abovecharacter having a wheel assembly which is non-obstructive and whichpermits nesting of the cans.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trash can of the abovecharacter which is simple in construction and reliable and practical inoperation.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts which will beexemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of'the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the inventionillustrating the lid construction in its covered (dashed lines) anduncovered positions;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the trash can of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of a mobile trash can in accordance withour invention illustrating the wheel assembly thereof;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial side elevation view of anotherembodiment of the invention showing an alternate lid construction in itscovered and uncovered (dashed line) positions;

FIGURE 5 is a partial top plan view of the trash can of FIGURE 4 withportions of the lid broken away;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a trash canin accordance with our invention;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the trash can of FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a bottom plan view of our trash can illustrating analternate embodiment of the wheel assem- :1;

FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of our trash can illustrating anotherembodiment of the wheel assembly.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Generally speaking and with reference to FIGURE 1, our trash cancomprises a body 10 of generally cylindrical shap formed of galvanizedsteel, aluminum or other metallic or plastic materials. The body has anopen top end 11 and a closed recessed bottom 12, and the sidewall 14 maybe fluted in a known manner to provide strength. A pair of reinforcingribs 16 are preferably fixed to opposite sides of the can for increasedstrength, and for attachment of the articulated lid assembly 18. The lidassembly 18 provides easy access to the interior of the can whilepreventing loss and damage to the lid due to removal. Where desired,additional reiforcing ribs can be provided around the periphery of thecan for added strength, as shown in FIGURE 6. A wheel assembly includingwheels 20 (preferably of the caster type) is secured adjacent the bottomend 12 of the trash can to provide mobility. The wheel assembly ispositioned wholly within the periphery of the bottom end 12 of the canto prevent obstruction, and to enable the cans to be nested.

FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of the articulated lidassembly 18 of our invention. A trash can lid 22 is connected to thebody 10 of the trash can by a pair of linkage arms 24 each connected atone end to the lid rim by a pivotable joint 26. The arms 24 are spacedso as to straddle the sidewall 14 of the trash can. The opposite end ofeach linkage arm 24 is connected by a pivotable joint 28 to a slideconnector 30. A pair of reinforcing bars 16 are secured to the sidewall14 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trash can. The reinforcingbars 16 are secured at either end as by bolting, welding, riveting,etc., and may be formed of tubular or rod stock or fiat strip asdesired. Each slide connector 30, which may be of tubular (as shown) ora split tubular shape, is loosely positioned on one reinforcing bar 16.To maintain the lid 22 clear of the ground in the open position as shownin FIGURE 1, a limit pin 31 protrudes from each reinforcing bar 16 atthe lower limit of slider movement. Thus, the lid 22 remains attached tothe trash can while the combination of the sliding motion of slideconnector 30 and the pivotable action of joints 26 and 2S enables it toswing between covered (dashed lines) and uncovered positions.

An alternate embodiment of our articulated lid assembly is illustratedin FIGURES 4 and 5. A lid 22 is attached to two linkage arms 24 by meansof pivotable joints 26 spaced along the lid rim to enable the linkagearms 24 to straddle the trash can sidewall 14. The linkage arms 24 areformed in two sections 24a, 24b joined at their ends by a pivotablejoint 32 to produce an L-shaped linkage when the lid is in a coveredposition (FIGURE 4). The other end of each linkage arm 24b is connectedby a pivotable joint 28 to a reinforcing bar 16 attached to the trashcan sidewall 14. The L-shaped articulated linkage permits lid 22 toswiing between covered and uncovered (dashed lines) positions whileremaining attached to the trash can.

Where increased strength is desired, a plurality of reinforcing bars 16are spaced about the periphery of the trash can as shown in FIGURE 6.The plurality of reinforcing bars 16 absorb the shock of rough handlingand minimize the danger of denting or punchure damage. The upper ends ofone pair of reinforcing bars 16 can be joined and shaped to form aU-shaped pushbar 34 (FIG- URE 6) by which the trash can may be moved.While shown in combination with the articulated lid assembly of FIGURE1, it should be understood that a plurality of reinforcing bars can alsobe used in conjunction with the articulated lid assembly of FIGURES 4and 5.

A wheel assembly is added to the bottom end 12 of the trash can toprovide mobility. Referring to FIGURES l and 3, a pair of wheels aremounted to a cross plate 36 fastened within the recessed bottom 12. Inaddition to supporting the wheels 20, the cross plate 36 serves toreinforce the bottom end 12 of the trash can. The wheels 20 arepreferably of the caster type as their swiveling action provides greaterfreedom of movement for the trash can. Where caster wheels 20 are used,they are mounted to cross plate 36 so as to be Wholly positionablewithin the periphery of bottom end 12 over at least a portion of theirswiveling path. Since the wheels 20 do not protrude beyond theperiphery, the trash cans are readily nested with one anotherfacilitating stacking, shipment, storage and display. Further, theenclosed wheels 20 are non-obstructive thus enhancing trash canmobility.

A pair of support legs 38 are mounted as by bolting, welding, etc. tothe trash can opposite the wheels 20 and within the recessed bottom end12. The length of legs 38 are such that the trash can bottom end 12 issupported in a substantially horizontal plane by the Wheels and the legsas shown in FIGURE 1. The trash can is readily moved by tilting slightlyon the wheels 20 to lift the legs 38 clear of the ground.

An alternate embodiment of the wheel assembly of our invention isillustrated in FIGURE 8, Two pairs of wheels 20 are each mounted to oneof a pair of substantially parallel cross plates 36 fastened withinrecessed bottom end 12. All wheels 20 are positioned within the trashcan periphery to provide the advantages set forth above. The trash canis readily moved either on all four wheels or by tilting slightly on oneset of wheels.

Another embodiment of the wheel assembly of our invention is shown inFIGURE 9. Two pairs of support legs 38 are fastened within the recessedbottom end 12 to support the trash can at rest. One pair of wheels 20are :afiixed to a cross plate 36 fastened within the periphery of therecessed bottom end 12 adjacent one pair of legs 38. The Wheels of thisembodiment, as are the wheels of the embodiments heretofore discussed,are positioned entirely within the trash can periphery to facilitatenesting. In this embodiment, the can is readily moved by tiltingslightly on the wheels 20 to lift all legs 38 clear of the ground.

Thus, we have provided an improved trash can construction which ismobile yet which is readily stacked, shipped, stored or displayedbecause of the nn0bstr'uctive nature of its wheel assembly. In addition,our articreinforced against denting or puncture damage due to roughhandling.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense. i

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all the generic and specific features of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a trash can having a sidewall, an open top end and a closedrecessed bottom end:

(A) an articulated lid assembly comprising,

(1) a trash can lid,

(2) a pair of linkage arms (a) each pivotably connected at one end to apoint on the periphery of said lid, said points being spaced to permitsaid linkage arms to straddle said sidewall,

(3) a pair of reinforcing bars (a) attached to said sidewallsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said trash can,

(b) each in position to connect with one of said linkage arms, and

(4) means pivotably connecting the other end of each linkage arm to oneof said reinforcing bars whereby said lid may be swung between an openposition adjacent said sidewall and a closed po sition adjacent said topend;

(B) a wheel assembly comprising,

(1) at least one cross plate (a) fastened to said trash can within saidrecessed bottom end,

(2) at least one pair of wheels,

(a) each said Wheel being fastened to said cross plate and (b) eachpositioned within the periphery of said recessed bottom end, and

(3) support leg means,

(a) fastened within the periphery of said recessed bottom end inposition to support said trash can.

2. A trash can as defined in claim 1 wherein said linkage arms areconnected to said reinforcing bars by a pair of slide connectors, eachloosely positioned on one of said reinforcing bars and each having apivotable joint interconnecting said slide connector with said other endof one of said linkage arms.

3. A trash can as defined in claim 1 wherein each linkage arm is formedinto pivotably connected parts and including a pair of pivotable joints,each interconnecting one reinforcing bar with said other end of one ofsaid linkage arms.

4. A trash can as defined in claim 1 including a plurality ofreinforcing bars in addition to said pair of reinforcing bars connectedto said linkage arms, said plurality of reinforcing bars being spacedalong and attached to said sidewall and each substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axis of said trash can.

5. A trash can as defined in claim 1 wherein said wheel assemblycomprises:

(A) a single cross plate (1) fastened to said trash can within saidrecessed bottom end,

(B) a single pair of Wheels,

(1) each fastened to said cross plate and (2) each positioned within theperiphery of said recessed bottom end, and

(C) a pair of support legs '(1) fastened Within the periphery of saidrecessed bottom end substantially opposite said wheels;

whereby said trash can is supported at rest by said pair of Wheels andsupport legs, and is movable by tilting slightly upon said pair ofwheels.

6. A trash can as defined in claim 1 wherein said wheel assemblycomprises:

(A) a first pair of support legs,

(1) each fastened within the periphery of said recessed bottom end,

(B) a second pair of support legs,

(1) each fastened within the periphery of said recessed bottom endsubstantially opposite one of said first pair of support legs,

(C) a cross plate (1) fastened to said trash can within said recessedbottom end (2) adjacent to one of said pairs of support legs at the sideremote from the other pair of support legs, and

(D) a pair of wheels,

(1) each fastened to said cross plate adjacent one of said one pair ofsupport legs and (2) each positioned within the periphery of saidrecessed bottom end;

whereby said trash can is supported at rest by said first and secondpairs of support legs, and is movable by tilting slightly upon said pairof Wheels.

7. A trash can as defined in claim 1 wherein said wheels are of thecaster type and are fastened to said cross plate so as to be whollypositionable within the periphery of said recessed bottom end over atleast a portion of their swiveling path.

'8. A trash can as defined in claim 1 including limit means on each ofsaid reinforcing bars for limiting the movement of said slide connectorsto maintain said lid clear of the ground in the open position.

9. In a trash can having a sidewall, an open top end and a closedrecessed bottom end, a wheel assembly comprising:

(A) a first pair of support legs,

(1) each fastened within the periphery of said recessed bottom end,

(B) a second pair of support legs,

(1) each fastened within the periphery of said recessed bottom endsubstantially opposite one of said first pair of support legs,

(C) a cross plate (1) fastened to said trash can within said recessedbottom end (2) adjacent to one of said pairs of support legs at the sideremote from the other pair of support legs, and

(D) a pair of caster wheels,

(1) each fastened to said cross plate adjacent one of said one pair ofsupport legs, and

(2) each positionable within the periphery of said recessed bottom endover at least a portion of their swiveling path;

whereby said trash can is supported at rest by said first and secondpairs of support legs, and is movable by tilting slightly upon said pairof caster wheels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,106,877 8/1914 Kaiser 280-7921,314,065 8/1919 Jackson 22038 X 1,328,672 1/1920 Hirsohn 220-381,619,506 3/ 1927 Ge-meinder 220-38 2,893,749 7/1959 Simensen 280--79.2X 2,960,347 11/1960 Centa 28079.2 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 898,733 5/1945 France. 312,409 11/ 1933 Italy.

BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

C. C. PARSONS, I. A. SIEGEL, Assistant Examiners.

